Building construction



y 1939- J J. NEWMAN 2,160,225

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 23, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 4John J Newman.

A TTORNE Y5 May 30, 1939. J. .1. NEWMAN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May23; 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 o mb AAA/3 INVENTOR John J. New man.

A TTORNEY May 30, 1939. J. J. NEWMAN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25,1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 11v VENTOR John J Newman.

6071.4. a= A TTORNE Y5 Patented May 30, 1939 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IJohn J. Newman, Vincennes, Ind., assignor of one-half to James H.Hammon, Vincennes,

Ind.

Application May 23, 1938, Serial No. 209,456

9 Claims.

the site, the various parts being masonry, wood,- metal or similarmaterial.

many attempts in the past to produce a suitable building structure ofprefabricated units so that it could be produced in a factory by machineprocesses rather than be produced from the building by slow expensivehand processes. However, none of these attempts have been successful toany considerable extent; Most of the prefabricated structures producedheretofore have been less pleasing in appearance and have been of alower quality than buildings produced by the conventional methods fromthe conventional materials. Therefore, it is still in practice toproduce most building structures of the conventional materials and bythe conventional methods.

One of the obje vide a building structure which is composed of cts ofour invention is to propreformed and prefabricated units which .may bemanufactured in afactory or shop by mass production equipment beforemoving to the building site.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building structurecomposed of prefabricated or preformed units which may be erected'q'uickly' is of very pleasing high quality.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building structure ofthe-type indicated which is of such a nature that after .it has oncebeen erected, it may be completely disassembled, re I moved to a newfoundation and reerected easily and quic ly, all without thebuildinghaving the appearance of a temporary structure.

Another object of'my invention is to provide a building constructionwherein all joints-are sealed water-tight without the use of adhesive orhardening subst or the like.

ances, such ascement,- mortar There have been appearance and is of avery Another object of my invention is to provide a building structureof the type indicated wherein the joints between the various sectionsare such as to permit variations in the cutting of the material, wellwithin the economical production tolerances for factory sizing of suchmaterials, and also to allow for flexibility suf-' ficient' to take careof all uneven settling of the building which would otherwise break thewall material.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building structure inwhich high class materials such as stone and steel may be employed sothat the building will have theappearance of a permanent high classstructure but which can be produced at a relatively low cost because allof the units thereof may be produced by mass production factory methods.

Another object of my invention is to provide a building structure of thetype indicated which is composed of preformed slabs and preformed framemembers which may be made ofsteel and which is provided with lubricatingmeans for protecting the. exposed surfaces of the steel within the wallsof the building.

In its preferred form my invention contemplates the provision of abuilding structure by the frame members and which are composed of anysuitable-material such as stone, concrete.

of large rectangular finished slabs which may be formed completely atafactory or shop. The

' steel members which form the frame and which hold the slabs inposition are also preformed and prefabricated at the shop or factory;The

' units'are such that theymay be assembled and erected onv the sitequicklyand without the employment of skilled labor. No fitting,precision work, riveting-or cementing isrequired at the site of'thebuilding in 'order toproperly erect it. Furthermore, it is not necessaryto provide the large slabs with notches, dovetails or any interfittingportions; All of the joints between the slabs are'sealed water-tight bypressure exerted on any suitable pliable-- stripping thereby eliminatingthe need for adhesive or hardening substances, such as cement, mortar orthe like; 'By 'such'construction the, building may be completelydisassembled, removed to a new foundation and reerected easily andquickly 'without tearing apart or replacing permanently cemented ormortared joints, all without the buildor the like. The slabs preferablytake the form v ing having the appearance of a temporary structure.

My method of construction makes possible the use of materials usedconventionally in only permanent structures of high class and high cost.The high quality of my building structure is attained by the use of highquality materials while the cost is greatly reduced inasmuch as factorymethods and equipment may be used in forming the units. Records showthat in the erection of first class stone building, the material is notexpensive, but the heavy cost is in the preparation, precision fittingand sizing of the stone at the building site by slow highly paid skilledmanual labor. These operations in addition to the slow mortaring andplumbing processes involved in the placing of the many stones requiredto make up a comparatively small section of wall require much time andcan be successfully accomplished only by highly paid skilled labor.

In my building structure I provide a joint between various slabs whichis of such structure as to permit much variation in the cutting of thematerial and to allow for flexibility sufficient to take care of alluneven settling of the building which would break the wall material ifsuch provisions were not made. I also provide means in association withthe steel frame members of my building structure for oiling the exposedsurfaces of the steel within the walls in order to protect them fromdeterioration as a result of sweating and corrosion.

My building structure is of such a nature that it will have a finishedappearance both inside and out and yet will be composed of a single wallwhich requires no covering of any all-over substance on the inside ofthe building or outside of the building for the purpose of finishing.Thus, the slabs of stone or other material will produce finished wallsurfaces both inside and out without the use of other materials on thesurfaces thereof. However, in some instances it may be desirable thoughnot necessary to apply a covering of material, such as plaster, to theinterior surface of the wall.

My construction applies to building structures of many stories as wellas single stories there being necessary only changes in dimensions of mystructure to take care of the various loads, strains and stresses.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a one-storybuilding structure produced in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a portion of thecorner joint of my building structure.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the structure illustrated in Figure2.

Figure 4 is a detail of means employed for tying the studding together.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along line 5-5 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view partly broken away showing one of theframe members and the associated slabs and illustrating how the slabsare held in their proper positions.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 'I--I ofFigure 6.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 8-8 ofFigure 6. N

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken substantially along line 99 ofFigure 6.

Figure 10 is a cut-away view of the inside of a building structurehaving the inner wall surface furnished with plaster.

Figure 11 is a detail in horizontal section illustrating a verticalJoint between the slabs and showing how steel lath may be'secured to thewall structure.

Figure 12 is a detail in side elevation showing wood members to whichthe lath may be nailed.

Figure 13 is a View in perspective showing the lubricating systemprovided for lubricating the steel frame members.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a portion of the oil conduit.

With reference to the drawings, in Figure 1 I have illustrated aone-story building structure produced in accordance with the principlesof my invention. As illustrated, this building structure is composed ofa plurality of large rectangular slabs I of any suitable material, suchas stone, concrete or the like. These stone slabs are preformed and arecut to the required size at the factory or shop. The stone slabs areheld in proper association with each other by a steel frame structureindicated generally by the numeral 2. This steel frame structure is madeof units which are preformed and prefabricated at the facory or shop.Instead of employing steel for the frame any other suitable metal may beemployed.

The steel frame consists of assembled steel units designated generallyby the numeral 3 which are vertically disposed and spaced as studdingwhich hold the Walls made up of the slabs l in vertical upright positionbut do not support the weight of the walls. The large rectangular slabsof the wall material extend from one steel vertical studding 3 to thenext adjacent steel vertical studding.

With reference to Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, I have illustrated thedetails of the vertical steel studding 3. Thus, as shown in thesefigures, this studding comprises two steel angle members 4 and 5, eachof which has one of its flanges 6 extending laterally in overlappingrelationship to the inner surface of the slab I and its other flange Iin overlapping relationship to the ends of the slab. The steel angles 4and 5 are vertically disposed and the flanges 1 thereof are spaced apartby spacers 8 which are in the form of metal sleeves. These spacers aredisposed at suitable intervals and rivets 9 pass through these spacersand aligning openings in the flanges I of the angles in order to securethem together integrally so as to form a single unit. The wall slabs lare clamped tightly to the flanges 6 of the angles by bolts l0 disposedat vertically spaced intervals. These bolts I0 draw together an outsidefinishing strip l I and an inside finishing strip I2 which are providedwith openings through which the bolts pass. The outside finishing stripoverlaps the outer surfaces of the slabs I and the inside finishingsurface 12 overlaps the flanges 6 of the angle members 4 and 5. Thestrips II and I2 may also be made of steel. The head of the bolt in iscountersunk in the outside finishing strip as at [3 while the nut Hwhich is threaded on the inner end of the bolt bears against the stripl2. Between the portions of the strip II which overlap the slabs I andbetween the flanges 6 and the cooperating surfaces of the slabs, gasketsl5 are disposed. These gaskets may be of any such as cork, rubber andthe like. Thus, it will be apparent that the wall slabs will be clampedtightly to the vertical studding. Bufiicient specing is left between theends of the slabs I and the steel angle members to allow for variationsin the cutting of the, slabs and also to allow for variations caused bythe settling of the building. These spaces are filled withgranulatedcork or other comminuted material, which will preferably absorb oil,after the walls are completed. Thus, it will be apparent from Figures 6and 8 that the spaces at the ends of the slabs and between the anglemembers 4 and 5 are filled with the granulated material I6. It will beapparent that a weather-tight'joint is produced and the stone slabs willbe supported in such a manner that there will be no danger of chippingor injuring such slabs.

In Figure 6 I illustrate how the vertical studding 3 may be secured tothe foundation II. The foundation in this instance is composedofconcrete. At each point where a vertical studding is to be supportedon the foundation, the foundation is provided with a steel member I8embedded therein. This steel member I8 projects upwardly from thefoundation and is adapted to project between the flanges I of the anglemembers 4 and 5. The flanges I have adjacent their lower ends aligningslots I9 formed therein. These sots are vertically disposed and are ofsubstantially rectangular form. A similar aligning slot 20 is formed inthe portion of the steel member I8 which projects between the flanges Iof the angles. The. studding 3 is secured to the member It by driving asteel wedge member I9a through the aligning slots I9 formed in the angleI and slot 20 formed in the member I8. The lower end of the steelstudding rests on a steel plate 2| which is properly slotted to fit overthe member I8 and which rests on the upper surface of the foundation.Thus, it will be apparent that the lower end of the steel studding willrest on the foundation and will be effectively secured thereto.

The upper ends of the steel studding members disposed at opposite sidesof the building are joined together by transversely extending I-beams 22as illustrated in Figure 1. These I-beams have their ends connected tothe vertical studding 3 in the manner illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 ofthe drawings. Thus, as illustrated in Figure 6, the flanges of theI-beams 22 are cut away as indicated at 23adjacent the end of the I-beamso that the portions 24 thereof will fit between the flanges i of theangle members 4 and 5. The flanges I are provided adjacent the upper endof the vertical studding with horizontally disposed slots 25, the slotsin the two flanges aligning with each other. These slots also align withhorizontal slots 26 formed in the portion 24 of the I-beam. These slotsare substantially rectangular in form. The position of slots 25 in theflanges and slots 26 in the portion 24 of the beam is such that whenwedges 21 are driven through these slots, the beam 22 is drawn tightlyagainst the flanges 6 of the angle members, the ends of the cutawayportions 23 of the beam forming a stop to limit inward movement of theangle members 4 and 5 as the wedges 21 are driven into position. A steelspacer block 28 may be riveted between the flanges I adjacent the upperend of the steel studding so that the beam 22 will rest thereon and theload of the beam will be carried thereby.

It will be apparent that the steel studding 3 may be assembled andfabricated into a single unit at the factory. The I-beam 22 will also bepreformed at the factory. It will also be apparent that the verticalstudding may be easily and quickly secured to the foundation and may beeasily and quickly secured to the cross-beams 22. The wedges makepossible the quick erection of the steel and also permit the building tobe disassembled as quickly, without the cutting of rivets,'

removal of bolts or the cutting off of the steel members at thefoundation level. Steel so erected may be assembled, disassembled andreerected many times without destroying its value in the least, andwithout the use of special tools or riveting equipment on the job. Itmay be done also by cheap unskilled labor. Furthermore, the stone slabsI may be preformed and cut to the required size and may be finished atthe factory. They may be easily and quickly set into position andclamped in their proper position by applying the finished strips I I andI2 to the steel studding after the slabs have been properly positioned.Thus, cheap and unskilled labor may be used for erecting the entirebuilding structure.

It will be apparent that it will be necessary for the corner studding 3ato be of slightly different structure than the studding 3. Thisstructure is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. In this structure I providea steel member 29 which is T- shaped in vertical cross-section. Thissteel member 29 is welded along its length as indicated at 30 to oneflange of a corner angle member 3|. This angle member 3| has one flangeoverlapping the slab I of one of the walls and the other flangeoverlapping the slab I of the other wall disposed at right angles to thefirst mentioned wall. The T-member 29 is provided with a flange 32 whichoverlaps the slab I of one of the walls and which is parallel to thecooperating portion of the angle 3|. The T-member is provided with asimilar flange 33 which overlaps the slabs of the other wall. The member29 is so positioned relative to the angle member 3| that ample room isprovided for gaskets 34 between the slabs I and cooperating portions ofthe members 29 and 3|. Also, the spacing is such as to provide spaces atthe ends of the wall slabs to take care of uneven ends or lengths ofthese slabs and to take care of uneven settling of the building. Thesespaces receive granulated cork or similar material indicated by thenumeral 35 in Figure 3.

The portions of the slabs which are disposed between members 29 and 3|are provided with large openings 36 extending completely through thethickness of the slabs. Bolts 31 pass through these openings and throughopenings provided in the members 29 and 3I. These bolts serve to securethe slabs to the corner studding 3a. The bolts may be tightened to clampthe slabs I tightly between the cooperating portions of the members 29and 3|. The openings 36 and the coopcrating bolts are provided atsuitable vertically spaced points. The holes 36 are approximately twicethe diameter of bolt 31 to allow for variation in the matching of theholes in the steel and slabs, and also to allow some slippage at thehole without the slabs engaging the bolts 31 in case of uneven settlingof the building. It will be apparent that the slabs are held in properposition by the clamping action of the cooperating portions of themembers 29 and 3| rather than by the bolts 31 cooperating with theopenings 36.

The corner studding 3a is secured to the foundation I! in a. mannersimilar to that in which the studding 3 is secured thereto. Thus, asshown in Figure 2, the foundation at each corner is provided with anupwardly projecting steel member I8a. A steel plate 2Ia is provided witha slot so that it can be slipped down over the members IBa and willreston the top of the foundation. The lower end of the member 3a willbear against the plate 2Ia. The member 3a is provided with a shortsection of a hollow member 38 which is rectangular in cross-section.This member 38 is Welded to the T-member 29 as at 39 and to the anglemember 3I as at 39a. The member 38 slips over the upwardly projectingportion of the member I8a.' This member 38 and the member Illa. areprovided with aligning vertically disposed slots which receive a wedgemember a. The wedge member 22a is driven into position before the slabsI are set in position so that the members 3a. will be securely fastenedto the foundation. The member 38 spaced from the parallel flange of themember 3I so as not to interfere with driving the wedge 20a intoposition.

It will be apparent that the member 3a may be fabricated at the factorylike the member 3. Furthermore, it may be erected and secured to thefoundation in a similar manner. In assembling and erecting the entirebuilding structure, the corner members 3a and the members 3 are firsterected. Then the slabs I adjacent the corners are slipped between thecooperating portions of the members 29 and 3|. The bolts 31 are thenpositioned to clamp the slabs in position. Then the finishing strips IIand I2 of the studding 3 are positioned to clamp the slabs adjacentthereto in position.

The coping 48 is then applied to the upper edge of the wall. Itpreferably extends from studding t0 studding and may be suitably securedin position by bolting it to the studding 3 and 3a with bolts 40a. Thecoping may be of stone, copper, rustless steel, or any other suitablematerial. A roof structure 4| of any suitable design and structure maybe secured to the upper ends of the wall structure in any suitablemanner. If desired, a flat roof structure may be applied to thebuilding.

As previously indicated I provide means for lubricating the steel framemembers in order to protect them from corrosion. Thus, as illustrated inFigures 1 and 13, in the coping 40 above each steel studding assembly Iprovide a pipe indicated generally by the numeral 42 which is fittedwith a removable cap to form an oiling port. This pipe extends into thegranulated cork which is placed in the spaces at the ends of the slabsafter the wall structure is assembled. At intervals during the life ofthe building oil or any other steel preservative may be poured throughthe oiling ports until the granulated cork is thoroughly saturated.Thus, the cork not only serves as a cushion for the ends of the slabsbut also holds the steel preservative such as oil or the like over along period of time.

Although the pouring of the oil through the pipes 42 into the granulatedcork will oil the steel sufficiently anoiling system of the typeindicated in Figure 13 may be provided. In this system the oil is placedin a pressure tank 43. This tank is connected to a pipe 44 disposed inthe foundation and extending entirely around the building. Branch pipes45 lead upwardly from the pipe 44 into the space in each studdingassembly where the granulated cork is disposed. As indicated in Figure14, a screen 46 may be provided at the upper end of the pipe to preventthe cork from entering the pipe. Thus, the oil will be poured from thetank 42 into each branch pipe 45 and upwardly into each studdingassembly. It will pass through the granulated-cork which will absorb it.The ports 42 may also be used in conjunction with this system to permitthe escape of air in order to facilitate rising of the oil through thegranulated cork.

It will be apparent that the slabs I may be provided with finishedsurfaces both on the inside and the outside. Thus, a single slab willform the entire wall and no covering of any allover substance on theinside or the outside will be required in order to produce a finishedwall surface. Plain or ornamental trim is used only at the joints and nopaint is required. However, in some instances it may be desirablealthough not necessary to apply a covering of plaster to the interior ofthe wall. However, this will make the building structure more difficultto disassemble.

In case it is desired to apply plaster to the interior of the wall it isdesirable to provide wood strips to which the lath may be nailed. Thus,in Figures 10, 11 and 12, I show a wood strip I2a which may be used inthe studding instead of the strip I2. The end of the bolt I0 is providedwith a large washer Illa which bears against the strip I2a. The washerand nut are countersunk in the wood strip I2a as indicated at 41.Furring wood strips 48 may be horizontally disposed and may be nailed tothe vertical strips I2a. The strips I 2a and the strips 48 serve asmembers to which the metal lath 49 may be nailed. The metal lath 49 mayreceive a layer of plaster 50 in the usual manner. The spaces betweenthe wood strips may be filled with a suitable insula tion material orleft as dead air space as desired.

As indicated in Figures 1, 4 and 5, angle irons 22a may be used fortying the studding together especially the corner studding. An angleiron is provided at each side of the biulding. It extends horizontallyand is disposed a short distance below the upper edge of the wall. Theend wall angle irons 22a are on a level with the cross beams 22. Thusjoints or rafters may be supported on these members in case the buildingis to be more than one story or is to have a flat roof, The angle ironsare removably bolted to the corner studding 3a by bolts 22b and eachstudding 3 by bolts 220, as indicated in Figure 4.

It will be apparent from the drawings that there may be a plurality ofslabs between the studding disposed in superimposed relationship. Forsealing the horizontal joints between the slabs I provide gaskets likethe gaskets I5'which are made of strips of cork or other suitablepliable material. The Weight of the slabs will serve to compress thismaterial and make a water-tight seal. The gaskets will also preventchipping. of the edges of the stone.

It will be apparent from the above descriptibn that I have provided abuilding structure having many advantages. The units of this buildingstructure may be preformed or prefabricated at a factory or shop andlater erected on the site to form the building. However, although thebuilding is of preformed and prefabricated units, it is made of highquality materials and has the appearance of a high quality permanentstructure. It will be apparent that with my structure I have madeallowance for wind strains and contraction and expansion of materialsused for the slabs and-studding. The slabs form the outer surface of thewall structure and it is not necessary to apply a veneer of othermaterial. Furthermore, the slabs actually impart structural strength tothe wall structure.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the precedingdescription, the drawings and the following claims.

In the following claims where I refer to stone 1 slabs it is to beunderstood that I intend to cover slabs which are actually out fromstone or other similar material or slabs which are cast from concrete orcast or molded from other suitable materials.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdin andextending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingcomprising laterally extending flanges which extend in oppositedirections and overlap one of the surfaces of said stone slabs, and aremovable metal clamping strip vertically disposed and secured to saidstudding, said strip extending laterally'in opposite directions intooverlapping relationship to the opposite surface of said stone slabs,said strip being secured to said studding by adjustable members adaptedto cause said strip to clamp said slabs to said flanges.

2. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingbeing preformed from a pair of angle irons, said angle irons being sodisposed relative to each other that one of the flanges of each of theangle irons are parallel with each other and the other flanges of theangle irons extend laterally in opposite directions, said flangesextending into overlapping relationship with'one surface of'said slabs,and a clamping strip secured to said studding and extending laterally inopposite directions into overlapping relationship to the oppositesurface of said slabs.

3. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingbeing preformed from a pair of angle irons, said angle irons being sodisposed relative to each other that one of the flanges of each of theangle irons are parallel and spaced from each other and the otherflanges of the angle irons extend laterally in opposite directions, saidflanges extending into overlapping relationship withpne surface of saidslabs, a clamping strip secured to said studding and extending laterallyin opposite directions into overlapping relationship to the oppositesurface of said slabs, a strip disposed on the opposite side of saidstudding and bearing against the adjacent flanges of said angle irons,and bolts extending through aligning openings in both of said strips andextending through the space between said flanges of said angle irons.

4. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, said studding includingside wall studding and corner studding, each'of the side wall studdinghaving two pairs of flanges adapted to form oppositely disposed socketsfor receiving the edges of adjacent slabs disposed on opposite sides ofthe studding, said corner studding also having two pairs of flangesadapted to form two sockets for receiving the edgesoi' the adjacentslabs forming one wall and the edges of the adjacent slabs forming theother wall at right angles to the first wall, and means associated withsaid flanges for clamping said slabs therebetween.

5. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, said studding includingside wall studding and corner studding, said corner studding comprisingan outer vertically disposed angle member and an inner verticallydisposed member of T-cross-section, said member having one of its edges.welded tosaid angle member and being so disposed relative thereto that apair of sockets at right angles to each other is formed for receivingthe edges of adjacent slabs.

6. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingcomprising flange members disposed on opposite sides of the slab andadapted to receive the edges of the slabs therebetween, means forcausing said flanges to clamp the slabs disposed therebetween, andgasket members disposed between said flanges and the cooperatingsurfaces of said slabs.

7. A wall structure comprising vertically disposed metal studding spacedlaterally from each other, stone slabs disposed between said studdingand extending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdinghaving sockets formed therein for receiving the ends of said slabs, aspace being formed within the studding, said space being filled withabsorbent material, and means for supplying oil to said space.

8. A building structure comprising a foundation, vertically disposedmetal studding having their lower endsv secured to said foundation atlaterally spaced points, stone slabs disposed between said studding andextending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingincluding angle irons disposed in spaced relationship, means forsecuring the lower end of the studding to the foundation, said meanscomprising a member secured to the foundation and projecting upwardlybetween the spaced angle irons, aligning slots being formed in saidmember and said angle irons, and a wedge member projecting throug saidaligning slots.

9. A building structure comprising a foundation, vertically disposedmetal studding having their lower ends secured to said foundation atlaterally spaced points, stone slabs disposed between said studding andextending the entire distance therebetween, each of said studdingincluding angle irons disposed in spaced relationship, means forsecuring the lower end of the studding to the foundation, said meanscomprising a member projecting upwardly from the foundation between thespaced angle irons, aligning slots being formed in said member and saidangle iron, means for connecting the upper ends off-studding ofoppositely disposed walls to each other, said means comprising a beam,means for connecting the beam to said studding, said means including aportion of the beam which extends between said angle irons, said portionof the beam and said angle irons being provided with aligning slots, anda wedge member projecting through said aligning slots.

JOHN J. NEWMAN.

